Welcome

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Colston Avenue for this Isthmian Premier fixture. I would especially like to welcome the officials, players, and fans of Potters Bar Town FC

Please can I remind you:

• We serve a selection of draft beers and real ale in our clubhouse.
• We serve a wide range of food from our matchday kitchens from midday.

I would like to wish both teams the best of luck in this important fixture.

Paul Dipre – Chairman

Match Officials

Team Officials

	Carshalton Athletic FC Peter Adeniyi
	Potters Bar Town FC Max Mitchell

Recent Clashes

14/02/2025		0-1
18/11/2024		2-1
06/02/2024		1-1

History

Carshalton Athletic FC 1906

Poitters Bar Town

The foundations for the Mount Grace Old Scholars (Potters Bar) Football Association were laid in spring 1960.

The school’s first team were having a good season, but many of the boys were due to leave at Easter. It was then that Ken Barrett; the P.E. Master of Mount Grace School asked them and old ‘Scholars’ to support him in raising a team.

We were accepted into the Barnet & District League on 29th June 1960. Ken enlisted Bert Wright, the school’s Caretaker and Sven Hammarling and then Bill Venneear. Reserve, 3rd and 4th Teams were added in the following seasons.

In 1965, the Barnet & District and Finchley & District Leagues merged to form the North London Combination. By 1967/68 we had won the Premier Division and the Reserves the Division 1 title and were admitted to Division 2 of the Herts County League.

In 1976 Bill Venneear and Clive Cavalier stepped down and Peter Waller, then the 3rd Team manager, was ‘persuaded’ to take over.

In 1978 many recommended the closure of the Club, but we continued and our three sides were relegated. But from the experience grew a desire never to repeat the mistakes again. Micky Holson became Manager and in 1981/82 we were in the Premier Division, as Division One Champions.

Clive Cavalier rejoined in 1979, and Peter Waller planned the new clubhouse and changing rooms. Construction started in July 1982 and in six months, with Frank Bentley’s considerable involvement and help from members, the clubhouse opened on the 9th January 1983.

In 1990/91, we reached the FA Vase 3rd round, before we came back from a 24-point deficit to win the Herts Senior County League Premier Division and the Aubrey Cup.

We accepted promotion to the South Midlands League and changed our playing name to Potters Bar Town FC, to reflect the growing stature of the club and promote the Town. Don Newman stood down as Chairman after 11 years.

We installed the Floodlight system in 1993, the Youth section was reformed in 1993/94 and FA Cup football came in 1995/96. At the end of that season, Peter Waller stepped down as Secretary, after twenty years, to become Chairman.

In 1996/97, the South Midlands Premier Division title was won, but we knew there was too much work to do to apply to the Isthmian League.

The following season, 1997/98, the club reached the quarter final of the FA Vase, going down 2-0 to Kidsgrove Athletic, only conceding in the second period of extra time. We were Runners-up in the league, but won the Challenge Trophy and the South Midlands Floodlight Cup. The Reserves went one better, winning Reserve Division One.

In 1998, Peter Waller and Eddie Harvey, secured a new 21-year lease on the ground, whilst on the site the old school was demolished, replaced by a new Ladbrooke School, Care Home, new car park and Watkins Rise. Sadly, we lost Bill Venneear in November 2000, a victim of cancer.  The 150-seater Main Stand was added in May 2001.

For Season 2001/02, Steve Smart became Manager and by 2002/03, with Paul Surridge, we achieved 3rd place in the league and won the Herts Charity Shield. The Potters Bar Charity Cup followed in 2003/04, but 2004/05 was the most successful of his 3-year reign, winning four trophies; the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and the Premier Division Cup, Herts Charity Shield and Potters Bar Charity Cup.

The club went on to take the title by sixteen points, remaining unbeaten in the final 19 league matches, including sixteen victories.

Off the pitch, in 6 weeks Club members and Players carried out major improvements and we passed the FA Ground grading and earned promotion to the Southern League Division 1 East for season 2005/06.

Steve Smart stepped down; Kevin Lucas was appointed, and then replaced by Andy Milne. Though we were bottom for six months, we would not give up. Andy Leese agreed to join us in February 2006 and with new players our fortunes changed and we survived, finishing 16th. The club was devastated that season by the death of Ken Woodward, who had spearheaded the ground improvements.

For 2006/07, we were moved to the Ryman League Division 1 North. We enjoyed a most successful FA Cup run, losing 3-2 to full-time Woking, of the Conference National, in the 4th qualifying round, after wins against Waltham Abbey, Wealdstone, Maldon Town and Margate with a 1-2 away win. We won the Herts FA Charity Cup for the first time, but lost Kevin Wilmot as Secretary. Andy Leese left in May 2007 and we appointed Steve Browne, though he resigned in December 2008.

In the summer of 2007, a spectators covered area was added and a turnstile block.  All four turnstiles have a unique history, as they were all in use at the old Wembley Stadium, until it closed in 2000. Adam Lee was appointed in 2008 and for 5 years served the Club with great distinction and commitment, always improving our league position and reached the Herts Senior Cup Final in 2012/13 for the only time.

In May 2010, to celebrate our 50th year, many former players returned, including 9 who had played in the very first match in September 1960! Bert Wright, one of our ‘founders’, received the FA 50-Year Service Award. To commemorate the occasion, the Club reverted to Maroon shirts, the same colours that we wore in June 1960. In January 2012, Bert Wright died at the age of 93, having given the club 52 years of service. In his honour, we renamed the Main stand after him.

For 2013/14 we were back in the Southern League. In late 2013, Adam Lee stepped down, succeeded by Jack Friend, and then in early 2015, by Steve Ringrose. Our Free Season Ticket Offer was launched for 2014/15 and made the national press. Sadly, we lost Eddie Harvey.

In 2015/16 we reached the semi-final of the League Cup, and then in 2016/17 we made the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup for the second time, including a replay win at Bath City on penalties (our best result against a team from a higher level).

In Summer 2017 the Clubroom was refurbished and in August 2018, after raising £100,000 ourselves and 3 years’ work by John Gibbs, our new Changing Room complex was opened.

For 2017/18 we were back in the Isthmian League Division 1 North. In September 2017, Peter Waller, celebrated 50 years of service to the Club and received an FA Award. Steve Ringrose ‘promoted’ James Duncan to Head Coach and several experienced players arrived.

We started with another successful run in the FA Cup, losing to National South Play Off Finalists Hampton & Richmond Borough, whilst in the FA Trophy we fell to Southern League Premier Division Champions, Hereford, both after replays. We then targeted the Play offs, being 8th in January.

However, in our remaining 22 fixtures, we won 15 and drew 5 and came through to take 2nd spot and promotion, with a win on the final day. As a result, we proudly started 2018/19 in the Premier Division.

The 2018/19 season was to present two challenges:

One: Make the necessary ground improvements to reach the next level ground grading requirements which meant the addition of two new stands – one a 100-seater and the other a 100 standing. This was achieved on time thanks to the hard work of club members, supporters, fund-raising and grants.

Two: Establish ourselves at step three. This we did, finishing 16th in the in the Bostik Premier League despite the departure of our management team in the season, but we again promoted from within with Lee O’Leary stepping up to player/manager, joined by Scott Cousins as joint manager. It was another season of significant progress.

The shortened 2019/20 season was another successful one as the club solidified its position at Step three and gained national interest as we took Barnet to a replay in the FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying, whilst the home game being shown on the BBC with a crowd of 2011 in attendance.

The 2020/21 season was also curtailed, with the last game being played in October, a 3-1 loss against Leatherhead. The season’s termination did not prevent us from continuing to make progress on and off the pitch however, as on the pitch we were able to enjoy 3-0 wins against both Cheshunt and Cray Wanderers, the latter ending our opponent’s 17 game unbeaten run.

Off the pitch, further improvements were made to the stadium, as a state-of-the-art sprinkler system, a perimeter barrier around the pitch and a new draining system were all installed, whilst the main grandstand was changed to a maroon and white, with new seats and a repaint in order to match the new club colours.

The 2021/22 season saw a return to football and a complete season completed. We went out of the FA Cup in the first qualifying round away to Stowmarket Town but enjoyed our best run to date in the FA Trophy before losing 3-1 away to Braintree Town of the National League South in the second round proper. With an unprecedented wet winter, the club was hampered by having a number of home game postponed due to a continuing waterlogged pitch which put us behind in league fixtures -a lot of mid season work was put into the pitch to aid its recovery.

Lee O’Leary resigned as manager, but the club appointed the experienced Sammy Moore which saw a change in the team’s performances and the Club achieved a final position of 13^th with 53 points, their best yet at step three.

Moore oversaw a strong start to the 2022/23 season that left the Scholars shocking the league at the top of the table, a position the team stayed in as late as November. Moore left the Club after 10 months in charge, and Lee Protheroe was promoted from his role as coach, taking his place in the dugout. His tenure was short lived, as he resigned in March with the team safe and in our first ever Velocity Cup final.

It was left to Max Mitchell to guide the team to the final, which ended 3-0 to Aveley on a difficult night for Bar, but wins against Carshalton and Margate to end the season left fans feeling optimistic, after equalling our best finish of 13th and 53 points.

With key players joining the Club from Step 4 such as Sam Chaney and Leigh Rose, as well as quality additions from Step 3 and above such as Preston Edwards and Rickie Hayles, the upcoming season certainly looks promising as Mitchell looks to make his mark at the now-named Lantern Stadium.

CAFC People

Chairman: Paul Dipre
Directors: Clare Dipre, Paul Williams, Kelly Riddel, Vicky Mannooch

Club Secretary: Bonnie Hare
General Manager: David Geddes
Match Day Tannoy: Gary Hollick
Admissions: Andy Rickman
Matchday Sec: Christian Kemble
Safety Officer: Clare Dipre
Programme: Christian Kemble
Media: Tom Higgs & Lin Bartley

Club Vice Presidents:
Phillip Payne, Steve Friend, Alan Walker, Kay Maynard, John Kistner, David Reilly, Martin Reilly, Peter Clews, Alec Griffin, Gary Smith, Alan Clarke, Peter Lebihan, Peter Robins, Marc Haskins, John Hillarby, Graham Skipp, Matt Hillarby

Matchday:
1st Team Manager: Peter Adeniyi
Coaches: Charlie Acres, Joe Vine, Sanchez Ming
Physio: Dave Feasey
Kit Manager: David Geddes
Matchday Safeguarding Officer: Andy Rickman

The Club is owned by Paul Dipre & Family by way of controlling interest

CAFC Snapshot

Surrey County FA
London FA
Pitching-In Isthmian League Premier Division
Isthmian Development League
The National League U19 Alliance
Isthmian Youth League
Surrey Youth League
Surrey County Women’s & Girl’s League
Epsom and Ewell League
Registration Number: 05316320

Contact details
War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue.
Carshalton. Surrey SM5 2PW
Tel: 020 8642 2551
Email: enquiries@carshaltonathletic.com
Web: www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk
TV: www.robins.tv
Twitter: @CarshaltonA_FC
Instagram: (Link to your Instagram profile)

The Robins Choir

Ground Rules

Colston Avenue Ground Rules

Carshalton Athletic is a FA Charter Standard Community Club.
We do our best to make every matchday or event as safe and enjoyable as we can for players, fans, customers and officials. We also respect the amenity of our neighbours.

To those ends we have ground rules that we respectfully ask visitors to the ground to abide by.

Approaching and leaving the ground and stadium

Please respect the amenity of neighbours surrounding the ground when arriving and leaving the ground. If driving please drive very slowly and carefully in the access road approaching the ground and in the car parks inside the ground. Please avoid making unnecessary noise in the surrounding roads on your journey to the ground, please save it all up in support of your team!

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in the stadium, regardless of size and nature. (Except guide dogs)

No Drums or clappers

Our operating licence prohibits the use of drums, clappers or musical instruments, they cannot be brought into the ground

Flags and Banners

There are plenty of places to hang flags and banners around the ground, but pleased don’t hang them over the pitch-side barriers where they cover advertising hoardings.

Bring Photo ID

Please bring photo ID. You may need it for purchasing alcohol. Seniors, U18s and all season ticket holders will need to show it at the turnstiles, no exceptions.

Challenge 25

If you are lucky enough to look under the age of 25, then you will need to show a driving license, passport or an id card bearing the PASS hologram. Staff will lose their jobs if they don’t adhere to the challenge 25 guidelines.

Video Filming

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

Commercial Photography

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

No foul language please

As a community club, many fans and customers are families with young children. Please help us to provide an environment suitable for the whole family.

Hospitality

Football on TV

Partners with Sky Sports & TNT Sports.

Every evening, every matchday, all the big games are showing on our big screens

Two viewing rooms – both with 75 inch LED screens, Dolby sound and fully stocked bars.

Matchday food

Gourmet Steak Burgers

Our steak burgers are fresh and from local sustainable suppliers – Scotts the Butchers.
Our Burgers are fresh, never frozen. Made with English Steak and cooked to perfection.
Our Buns are fresh, never frozen. Soft and squidgy.
Our Onions and fresh, never frozen. Slow-cooked for 4 hours and caramelised

WE DONT RIP YOU OFF – 1/4 POUNDER IS UNDER A FIVER

Chips

You wont find tastier chips anywhere.

Pies

We serve a range of meat and vegetable pies

Matchday food

Bean to Cup Coffee

Our coffee is freshly ground and brewed. Choose a cappuccino, latte, americano or flat white

Fully stocked free-house Bar

Choose from our wide selection of real ales, craft beers and a vast range of liquors.

Respect statement

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162). The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

League sponsors